Nonviolent Conflict Resolution Research Articles

Navigating the theories in the nexus between war and peace

This research examines the relationship between war and peace within the realm of international relations, drawing from a diverse array of theories. It investigates conflict, ranging from power dynamics to ideological disputes, while also evaluating the ethical dimensions of the Just War theory. Through the application of the Just War theory to the dynamic interplay between war and peace as a theoretical framework, this study underscores the vital significance of fostering peaceful dispute resolution, upholding ethical standards in warfare, and undertaking comprehensive post-conflict reconstruction efforts. Employing a historical research design, the study gathers data from secondary sources including journals, books, and ancient encyclopedias, ensuring the credibility of its analysis. Utilizing a descriptive method of data analysis, the research employs deductive logic to maintain a coherent framework and ensure balanced interpretation. Despite disagreements among theories, the study prioritizes accuracy to draw appropriate conclusions. The findings of this study reveal the profound interconnectedness between war and peace, highlighting how conflict arises from a myriad of factors including power struggles, ideological differences, and diplomatic failures. Furthermore, the ethical evaluation of war through the Just War theory provides valuable insights into the moral complexities surrounding armed conflict and its implications for peace-building efforts. Considering these findings, several recommendations are proposed to address the persistent challenge of achieving lasting peace amidst armed conflicts. Emphasizing diplomacy as a primary approach to conflict resolution, prioritizing ethical standards in warfare, and fostering peace education to cultivate values of tolerance and non-violent conflict resolution from an early age are key strategies identified for promoting sustainable peace. By offering recommendations for proactive conflict prevention and strategies in international cooperation, this research aims to contribute to the global pursuit of a more equitable, harmonious, and peaceful world order. Through its rigorous analysis and actionable insights, the study seeks to inform policymaking and advocacy efforts aimed at fostering sustainable peace on a global scale.

History of the diplomatic negotiation in the International court of justice narrative, a review of the ICJ jurisprudence

Diplomatic negotiation serves as a fundamental prerequisite to both arbitration and judicial settlement, a dynamic that unfolds alongside the evolution of conventional international law. Negotiation stands as an essential and integral precursor to the arbitral resolution. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the jurisprudence of the Permanent Court of International Justice (P.C.I.J.) and the International Court of Justice (I.C.J.), shedding light on the critical role of negotiation in achieving agreements and peaceful dispute resolutions. The prevailing customary foundation mirrors an era in international law marked by the "quasi-legislative role" of traditional sources. The obligation to negotiate may seemingly encroach on State sovereignty while endeavoring to establish a framework for nonviolent conflict resolution. Thus, it becomes imperative to initially address the juxtaposition between the sovereignty principle and the obligation to negotiate. Considering these realities, sovereignties are compelled to find common ground, underscoring the pivotal role of diplomatic negotiation in binding what is commonly referred to as the community of nations, evolving towards a higher level of political awareness ensure sustainable commitments between Nations and international stakeholders.

KONSTRUKCIJA I VALIDACIJA SKALE ZA PROCJENU SOCIO-KOMUNIKACIJSKIH KOMPETENCIJA ODGAJATELJA

This paper was based on the fact that educators’ social communicative competences are insufficiently discussed in professional literature, and that there is no research instrument testing them. Therefore, the goal of this paper was to develop and then empirically validate the Scale for the Assessment of Educators’ Social Communicative Competences. The first version of the instrument consisted of the following subscales: Nonviolent Communication, Self-Awareness, Awareness of Others, Self-Management-Emotion Regulation, Self-Esteem, Nonviolent Conflict Resolution. The initial version of the scale contained 70 items. The instrument was applied to a sample of 243 respondents, educators from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina, and psychometric validation was carried out, which included an item analysis, a factor analysis to check the validity and reliability of the measuring instrument. Eventually, an instrument consisting of 32 items was obtained. The following 6 factors were confirmed: Nonviolent Communication, Self-Awareness, Awareness of Others, Self-Management-Emotion Regulation, Self-esteem and Nonviolent Conflict Resolution. The reliability of all the subscales except for the Self-Awareness subscale was found to be satisfactory: Non-violent Communication (5 items; α=.697), Self-Awareness (6 items; α=.487), Awareness of Others (4 items; α=.804), Self-Management-Regulation of Emotions (5 items; α=.817), Self-Esteem (7 items; α=.701), Nonviolent Conflict Resolution (5 items; α=.771). It was concluded that the developed research instrument intended for the assessment of educators’ social communicative competences has satisfactory characteristics.

Social environment risk factors for violence, family context, and trajectories of social-emotional functioning among Latinx adolescents.

High social-emotional functioning, including emotion regulation and nonviolent conflict resolution, constitute developmental competencies of adolescence that promote health and well-being. We used prospective longitudinal data from a predominantly Latinx population to understand how family context and social environment risk factors for violence related to patterns of social-emotional functioning during the transition between middle school and high school. We prospectively interviewed 599 8th graders every 6 months for 2 years. We used trajectory models to explore longitudinal patterns of emotion regulation and nonviolent problem solving and multinomial regression to distinguish how these groups were associated with family context, partner and peer gang involvement, and neighborhood social disorder. Youth reporting lower neighborhood disorder in 8th grade were more likely to be in the high emotion regulation trajectory group. Youth without exposure to gangs through peers and partners in 8th grade were more likely to be in the high nonviolent problem-solving skills trajectory group. Family cohesion was associated with being in the high trajectory groups for both emotional regulation and problem-solving skills. Emotion regulation and nonviolent problem-solving skills had different associations with the social environment risk factors for violence examined, indicating that mechanisms of influence and strategies for intervention may vary. The association between problem-solving skills and exposure to gangs through peers and partners shows that social norms may be important targets of change. Additionally, interventions with parents that build family cohesion during adolescence may buffer environmental exposures that shape adolescents' ability to practice protective social-emotional behaviors.

MODERASI BERAGAMA PADA TRADISI PERANG CENTONG DALAM PROSESI PERNIKAHAN DI KABUPATEN BREBES JAWA TENGAH

The Indonesian nation has a wealth of traditions that are the cultural treasures of the community. These traditions in the community of their owners turn out to have important meanings that are a source of value for the community in living their lives. The oral tradition in the Brebes community, in the form of the centong war tradition in a series of wedding ceremonies, contains the values of religious moderation. This study aims to reveal the values of religious moderation in the oral tradition in Brebes Regency, especially the tradition of centong war in the wedding procession. This research with a qualitative approach was carried out in Brebes Regency, especially in 3 sub-districts that still carry out the centong war tradition, namely Ketanggungan, Kersana, and Banjarharjo sub-districts. Data was collected by using interview, observation, and documentation methods, especially the recording of the centong war tradition that was uploaded on social media. The results of this study indicate that local traditions contain certain values that can be utilized in the context of contemporary society. The tradition of the centong war as part of the traditional Brebes wedding ceremony procession contains significant values with the current religious problem, namely religious moderation. The tradition of the centong war, which is still preserved by the Brebes people, originates from the traditional Jalawastu tradition in Ciseureuh village, Ketanggungan district, which is located on the slopes of Mount Kumbang. This tradition is inspired by the local story of the conflict between Gandasari and Gandawangi. The values of religious moderation in the centong war tradition include: conflict resolution through a non-violent transformation; social harmony starts from a harmonious family; development of the value of cooperation and generosity; understanding of differences and developing tolerance; and preservation of local culture and wisdom. Although the tradition is called the centong war, this tradition is intended to remind people to avoid conflict and encourage a culture of non-violence. Therefore, the tool used is not a sharp weapon but a rice spoon. This traditional procession can be used to convey messages of strengthening religious moderation and non-violent conflict resolution through the dialogue of the Aki Lengser scene in the centong war tradition.

Creating Culture of Peace: Non-Violent Conflict Resolution

The history of mankind has been marked by the use of force, which has led many thinkers to seek answers to questions: what are conflict and violence, what is their nature, are they generated externally, by what forces, or are they a product of human aspirations to selfishly satisfy their needs. The answer to these questions is only the beginning of the search because it opens new, undoubtedly equally important questions – whether conflict and violence can be positive values and, in particular, whether conflicts can be resolved or transformed before they generate violence, and if so, what are the processes, mechanisms and strategies. Seeking answers to all these questions requires complex multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research and integrating and harmonising their results into a coherent whole. Having this in mind as a limiting, but at the same time motivating research factor, the authors of this paper aim to determine with sequential analysis the way of resolving the conflict by non-violent means through the stages of its development.

Divine Violence, Profane Peace: Walter Benjamin, Rabbis for Human Rights, and Peace in Israel-Palestine

This essay contributes to the Judaic conceptualization of peace by bringing Walter Benjamin's essay "Critique of Violence" into conversation with the nonviolent practice of the Israeli NGO, Rabbis for Human Rights. It analyzes critically Benjamin's critique of liberal peace and legal instrumentality by questioning his distinction between pure, divine violence and instrumental violence by focusing on the story of Korah's rebellion. Moving to Benjamin's equation of pure violence with nonviolent conflict resolution, I argue that the latter is the appropriate means to achieve "justpeace." Rabbis for Human Rights' scriptural interpretation indicates that nonviolent peacebuilding can be modeled on the agonistic struggle between divine law and human intercession. They use legal means to challenge the state violence of occupation in pursuit of justice and peace.

DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILIZATION AND REINTEGRATION (DDR) PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES IN AFRICA

The implementation of post conflict disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programme is usually characterised by several problems and challenges at various stages hence, this paper examined DDR problems and challenges in Africa. The paper argues that DDR programmes can only be effective if it is conducted in line with approved international standards as enshrined in the Integrated, Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Standards (IDDRS) manual. The study adopted the basic human needs theory as its theoretical framework and derived its data from secondary sources. The data collected were analysed qualitatively since the study was a descriptive study. The study revealed that DDR programme is a post-conflict nonviolent conflict resolution framework which been applied in several African countries including Nigeria, Angola, Liberia etc. Findings from the study also shows that the implementation of DDR programme in Africa is faced with series of challenges yet it has helped in transforming and resettling several ex-combatants and warlords back to normal civil society. Thus, for any DDR programme to be effective, attention must be paid to monitoring, supervision and the general welfare needs of ex-combatants and trainees in order to build trust and confidence from all the parties and stakeholders.

Prevalence and Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence Experience Among Partners of Naval Personnel in Lagos, Nigeria.

Military personnel are one of the high risk groups recognized as perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV). Little is known about IPV experience of partners of naval personnel. This study determined the prevalence and correlates of IPV experience among partners of naval personnel. A cross-sectional survey of 435 male and female partners of naval personnel selected using the multistage sampling technique from the Navy Barracks in Lagos, Nigeria was conducted. Data were collected using a 40 item interviewer-administered questionnaire between August and September 2017. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis was done to identify the predictors of partners' experience of IPV. Analysis was done at p-value ≤0.05. The mean age of the respondents was 32.7 ± 7.86yrs and 72% were females. The lifetime prevalence of any IPV experience was 40.7% (with 74.4% of this experienced by females, CI: 0.81-1.91). The prevalence of controlling behaviour, psychological, sexual, economic and physical IPV were 31.5%, 16.3% 12.4%, 12.0% and 8.5% respectively. There was a positive association between experience of IPV and respondents' occupational status (p < 0.0001), lifetime experience of physical (p < 0.0001), sexual abuse (<0.0001), and history of childhood abuse (p < 0.0001). After adjustment for confounders, age (AOR = 2.11, CI = 1.07-4.16), occupational status (AOR = 4.56, CI = 2.30-9.02), history of childhood abuse (AOR = 2.10, CI = 1.26-3.49,) and partners' alcohol use (AOR = 3.41, CI = 1.38-8.39) remained significant factors influencing experience of IPV. The prevalence of IPV experience among partners of naval personnel was high. Being unemployed, experience of abuse in childhood and having a partner who consumed alcohol increased partners' vulnerability to IPV. Naval personnel would benefit from marital counseling and training on non-violence conflict resolution strategies.

How do conflict narratives shape conflict- and peace-related outcomes among majority group members? The role of competitive victimhood in intractable conflicts

Previous research in the Turkish–Kurdish conflict context highlighted two opposing conflict narratives: (a) a terrorism narrative and (b) an independence narrative. In this article, we argue that these narratives are relevant to protracted and asymmetrical intergroup conflict (e.g., independence struggles), and therefore have consequences for conflict- and peace-related outcomes regardless of conflict contexts. We tested this generalizability hypothesis in parallel studies in the context of Turkish–Kurdish (Study 1) and Israeli–Palestinian relations (Study 2) among majority group members (Turks and Jewish Israelis, respectively). We also investigated competitive victimhood as a potential mediating variable in the relationship between conflict narratives on the one side and support for non-violent conflict resolution, forgiveness, and support for aggressive policies on the other, in parallel studies with the two aforementioned contexts. We argue that the terrorism narrative is essentially a negation of the narrative of the other group, and the independence narrative is a consideration of that narrative; therefore, competitive victimhood would be lower/higher when the narrative of the other is acknowledged/denied. Results point to the crucial relationship between endorsing conflict narratives and conflict- and peace-related outcomes through competitive victimhood, and to the possibility that these conflict narratives may show some similarities across different conflict contexts.

Positive Criminology in a Fight for the Human Being

Directions for the development of modern criminology, as well as the predicted trends of its future shape, are determined by social processes. A rapid development of convergence technology, as a phenomenon of a new type that is the result of the integration of sciences and the emergence of the techno-science uniting many aspects of natural sciences and technology where knowledge is society- and practice-oriented, set new goals for criminology. The achievement of these goals should be methodologically and practically «innovatively interwoven» within the general context of scientific and social development. The problem of basic premises that should be used as guiding principles for the development of criminology requires an urgent solution. Positive criminology, in the system of leading goalposts that determine, among other things, the essence of its methodological basis, should be based on the principles of convergence, universal humanism and non-violent conflict resolution, creation of a healthy society, patriotism, realistic philosophy, it should preserve the traditions of the past and be ahead of modern trends. The question of outlining the subject of new criminology is complicated and unclear due to the singularity of transformational technologies themselves. At the same time, the development of criminological mentality should be based on the necessity to adapt it to the criminal and technological threats of a new type, which are highly probable to spread uncontrollably. Convergence technologies simultaneously produce a multitude of complex socio-humanitarian problems - preservation of humans, improvement of the human potential and the standard of living - that should be solved by criminology from the standpoint of improving its quality and creating an adequate content of its future basics.

“So I Won’t Go to Jail”: Year Two of a PROMUNDO-Adapted Program to Eradicate Gender-Based Violence

This paper presents evaluation results of a PROMUNDO-adapted program enacted to reduce gender-based violence among preadolescent boys. Outcomes that are examined include promoting critical thinking regarding masculinity, aggression, and violence; fostering skills necessary for effective communication, prosocial emotional expression, and non-violent conflict resolution. While quantitative findings in this small sample do not indicate statistically significant results, qualitative analyses indicate that participants were better equipped to express their emotions, particularly anger, and to resolve conflict in non-violent ways that may slow the school-to-prison pipeline.

The Concepts of «War» and «Peace» in the Context of Transnational Terrorism

Historically there are many conceptualizations of «war» and «peace». Taking a closer look, we can nevertheless specify these concepts rather clearly: war is defined as violent conflict resolution between states or as a condition of violence or continuing uncertainty. Peace requires at least the absence of war. As long as we do not consider it the contradictory antonym to war, it seems plausible to specify it by the feature of the absence of enmity or–even better–as an order of non-violent conflict resolution. To speak of a «war on terrorism» negates the modern restriction of possible agents in war, i.e. that only states can be war parties, and it bears the risk of an erosion of humanity in war as well as of the distinction between martial and criminal law. It seems better justified to deal with transnational terrorism within terms of peace, in which violent acts are legally prosecuted in an order of alternative conflict resolution.

Development of Methodology for Applying Non-Violent Conflict Resolution in Academic Environment

Development of Methodology for Applying Non-Violent Conflict Resolution in Academic Environment

Peace education for the Anthropocene? The contribution of regenerative ecology and the ecovillages movement

ABSTRACTThe security risks posed by the Anthropocene requires peace education strategies aimed at developing the skills necessary for the emergence of regenerative social forms, based on sustainable synergies between humans and nature. This article explores how community-building and regenerative ecology frameworks developed in ecovillages can contribute to that goal, through the case study analysis of the peace education initiative carried out in Israel and the West Bank by Tamera – Healing Biotope I, an ecovillage located in southern Portugal. The findings illustrate the difficulty of creating regenerative social forms through the reproduction of whole system ideal models for sustainable human settlements, due to the vulnerability of intentional communities to the internal reproduction of ethnopolitical loyalties and conflicts. They also illustrate how a combination of local embeddedness and transnational connections contribute to the diffusion of social innovations produced in ecovillages. However, local ethnopolitical organizations and movements tend to promote resistance to the adoption of externally produced frameworks for the development of competences of collaborative sociability and non-violent conflict resolution. The article concludes with an appeal to a transdisciplinary collaboration among scholars, practitioners and public institutions in the development of synergistic models of peace education that are multipliable, but context-sensitive.

67. Sustaining Non-Violence Among Adolescents And Young Adults In A Latino Community

Violence remains the leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults in the Americas. One prevention strategy is to identify and sustain factors that already exert protective effects. Bivariate analyses using trichotomization determined if 16 potential factors had protective and/or risk relationships with NOT perpetrating violence. A logistic regression model determined variables most strongly correlated with non-violence. Adolescents and young adults in one predominantly Latino urban community completed self-administered surveys prior to participation in a prevention program. Participants reported race/ethnicity, gender, age, and perpetration of 20 potential acts of violence in the last 30 days. 14 potential factors were measured with scales. Marijuana and alcohol use were each assessed with one survey item. Participants reporting no act of violence were classified as non-violent. To determine whether factors had protective and/or risk relationships with non-violence, bivariate analyses used trichotomization to compare at both ends of the distribution. Tests to identify protective factors compared the top 25% with the middle 50%; tests to identify risk factors compared the lower 25% with the middle 50%. If a variable only had a significant effect (p<.05) at one end it was classified only as either a protective or risk factor. In a forward stepwise logistic regression model the dependent variable was the dichotomous non-violent outcome. Variables with significant protective and/or risk effects in the bivariate analyses were used in the regression model. 464 participants. 86% Latino; 54% female; 25% 10-12, 53% 13-17, and 22% 18-23 years old. 27% were non-violent. Five variables had both protective and risk effects (p<.05): thoughtful decision making, parental support of violence, hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, inattentive symptoms, and depression symptoms. Seven variables had protective effects only: low exposure to community violence, low belief in aggression, high belief in non-violent conflict resolution, more academic behaviors, high academic achievement motivation, high presence of peer support, and no use of marijuana. Two variables had risk effects only: low presence of adult support and low sense of purpose. Parental support of non-violence (p>.07) and no alcohol use (p=.20) were not associated with non-violence. Five variables and age remained in the final regression model. High thoughtful decision making (p<.001), low parental support of violence (p=.002), low hyperactive-impulsive symptoms (p<.001), low inattentive symptoms (p=.013), and low exposure to community violence (p=.001) increased the likelihood of being non-violent. Multiple protective factors were identified and can be reinforced to maintain non-violence. One strategy to help young people remain non-violent would be to engage parents in working toward creating and sustaining non-violent communities where youth can engage in their natural routine of thoughtful decision making. Another strategy is to provide effective care for young people with ADHD.

Prevalence and correlates of intimate partner violence, before and during pregnancy among attendees of maternal and child health services, Enugu, Nigeria: mixed method approach, January 2015.

IntroductionIntimate Partner Violence (IPV) is an under-reported public health problem. This study determined the prevalence of IPV and types of IPV, complications and factors associated with IPV among women accessing health services.Methodswe conducted a cross-sectional survey of 702 women accessing maternal and child health services in Enugu State, Nigeria using multi-stage sampling technique. Quantitative data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire, qualitative data by key informant interview (KII). We analysed data using descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The level of statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic content analysis.Resultsmean age of respondents was 27.71 ± 5.14 years and 654 (93.2%) were married. Prevalence of IPV, a year before last pregnancy, was 307 (43.7%) and during last pregnancy was 261 (37.2%). Frequent involvement in physical fights with other men, controlling behaviour and younger aged partners (< 40 years) were independent predictors of IPV experience both before and during pregnancy. Independent predictors of IPV experience before and during pregnancy were younger aged partners (< 40 years). [Adjusted Odds Ratio AOR 1.72; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.17, 2.53], partner having controlling behaviour AOR 2.24; 95% C.I=1.51-3.32) and Partner's frequent involvement in physical fights (AOR 2.29; 95% C.I = 1.43-3.66). Having a male child and married/cohabiting were protective against violence. KII revealed poverty, lack of education and infidelity as common triggers of IPV.Conclusionthe prevalence of IPV and types of IPV was high and the predisposing factors of IPV in Enugu were multifactorial. Couple counselling sessions that focus on non-violence conflict resolution techniques is crucial to end IPV.

An Outpost of Modernism: The Diplomatic Design of Cosmopolis

Although certain works published in the fin-de-siècle journal Cosmopolis: An International Review (1896–8) would have a lasting impact on twentieth-century literature, the principles behind its design have escaped critical attention. This article posits that Cosmopolis anticipated a form of modernism that Walter Benjamin would later conceptualise in his ‘Critique of Violence’ (1921) and ‘The Task of the Translator’ (1923). The interplay between Benjamin's two essays suggests that translation allows one to reach a nonviolent resolution of conflict through language: a translation's mediation between an original work and pure language presents a nonviolent form of coexistence. The editors and writers of Cosmopolis had already put this idea into practice: a significant number of contributors wrote in a language that was not their own, while those who did write in their own language addressed a non-native audience. The geopolitical implications of this multilingual approach come to the fore most emphatically in a case of pseudo-translation that deals with the case of Alsace-Lorraine. More subtly, the periodical creates echoes and reverberations between articles on international politics and works of literature. Through these translational practices, Cosmopolis was designed to foster a ‘diplomatic’ form of cosmopolitanism, a fact highlighted by the diplomatic credentials of a number of contributors, including the main editor, and thematised in short stories by Joseph Conrad and Henry James.

Profiles and behavioral consequences of child abuse among adolescent girls and boys from Barbados and Grenada

The current study used latent class analysis to uncover groups of youths with specific abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual) profiles in and outside the family, and identify how membership in each abuse group is associated with behavioral outcomes. Data were collected among a sample of male (n = 662; Mage = 13.02 years) and female (n = 689; Mage = 12.95 years) children and adolescents (9–17 years old) from Barbados and Grenada. Self-report surveys were completed by participants in school settings. Three latent classes of child abuse were distinguished among boys, including ‘low abuse’ (39.2% of the sample), ‘physical and emotional abuse high outside/medium in the family’ (43.2%), and ‘high overall abuse’ (17.6%). Among girls, four unique classes were recovered: ‘low abuse’ (40.7%), ‘high physical and emotional abuse outside the family’ (7.6%), ‘high emotional and moderate physical abuse’ (33.9%), and ‘high overall abuse’ (17.8%). Compared with members of low abuse groups, youths who reported having experienced high/moderate levels of various forms of violence, including those who were abused in multiple ways and across the two settings (‘high overall abuse’), were significantly more likely to engage in violent and hostile behavior. Abused and non-abused youths did not differ on non-violent conflict resolution skills. The significance of present findings for future research and practice is discussed.

The bioethics and neuropsychology of children learning to hate or help and pursue violent or nonviolent resolution of conflict

The bioethics and neuropsychology of children learning to hate or help and pursue violent or nonviolent resolution of conflict